Batman Reborn

Partners in Trade
Batman crouched on the roof of an old abandoned building. Below him was a
dark narrow alley. A bunch of gangsters armed with stolen weapons were lifting
crates into a truck.
This is the fifth weapons transfer tonight and I still dont have any leads into
whos ordering these many weapons, Batman said.
Maybe you can get some answers out of these losers, Tom said.
Easy for you to say. You dont have to wear this suit and almost get killed on
a regular basis, Batman said. He jumped down and landed on the truck.
Need a hand with that, boys, Batman said. One pulled a gun on him.
Batman threw a Bat Lasso. It caught him. Two men with wrenches ran at him.
Batman jumped up and kicked them both with the same kick. A big man hit Batman
in the back of the head with a wrench. Batman fell down as he tried to hit the teen
again. Batman rolled out of the way and got up. The man ran at him again. Batman
picked him up and threw him. He landed on top of the hood of a car. Two gangsters
opened fire on him. He dropped a smoke grenade. Smoke came out.
Hey, where did he go? one of them said.
Right here, Batman said, grabbing him and pulling him into the smoke. The
last man fired into the smoke until he was out of ammo. He then dropped his gun
and ran away.
He tripped over a trash can only to see the shadow of Batman.
Get away from me. Get away from me, he cried getting away and running
into Batman. The Dark Knight threw him into a garage. He then picked him up.
Alright Sunny Jim, start singing. And remember, I dont like hearing the same
tune twice, Batman said.
I dont know anything man, he said.
Talk, Batman said.
All I know is that a man called for us to deliver these packages to the
warehouse near the old Gotham Pier 2, he said truthfully.
Batman tore off the lid off a crate and picked up a canister full of liquid. They
had the Wayne Enterprises label.
That would explain the recent hijacking off your labs, Tom said.
It looks like some of those missile launchers that Ive been working on,
Batman replied.

Batman expanded his wings and pressed the button on his belt. His jetpack
ignited and he flew away.
Five minutes later, he landed on the roof of the warehouse. There were tons
of crates everywhere. Outside the warehouse, the yard was full of delivery trucks.
This must really be a big operation. I havent even heard of it, Batman said,
looking through the window to see at least fifteen guys on both sides. Bane stood on
one side and Braxton Powell stood on the other.
Tom, can you adjust the volume of my ears so I can listen in on this deal?
Batman asked.
Sure thing, Bruce, Tom said.
Down below, Braxton held a case full of cash.
I have 2 million dollars in cash as promised, enough to fund your criminal
empire, that is, if youre smart enough to start one, Powell smiled. His assistant
was standing beside him along with a few of his guards.
Thats none of your concern, Mr. Powell. As soon as you give me that
briefcase, my men will load the weapons into your trucks, Bane said.
How am I sure that you wont double cross me? You know, my men shoot to
kill, Powers smiled.
I have already given you my word, Powell. Do you not trust me? Bane
smiled.
How about you ask your pointy eared friend above us? Powell smiled again.
I guess thats my cue, Batman said.
What are you talking about? Bane demanded.
Batman landed in the middle of the trade.
I know youre not the sharpest bulb in the store Bane, but I think he means
me, Batman smiled.
Batman, youve interfered in my operations for too long. I dont know if
youre smart enough to comprehend this, but youre outnumbered one to twenty,
Powell said.
Count again, since Im Batman that means that I outnumber you twenty to
one, Batman replied.
They opened fire on him. Batman kicked one mans gun up and the bullets
blew out a lamp. It was pitch black for about ten seconds. When the lights turned
back on, Batman was gone.
How does he do that? one of banes goons said.
It doesnt matter. The deals off unless you bring me Batmans head, Powell
snarled.
Spread out and find him. When you do, kill him. Move! Bane ordered.
The men spread out and looked for him.
Who do you think will find him first, one man said.
Hope its me. He cant hide forever, the other one smiled. The man
wandered a bit farther than the other men. Batman grabbed him from behind and
dragged him into some crates.
Thats weird I could have sworn the other guy was just here a second ago,
the other man wondered. He turned around to see Batman. He punched the goon
out cold and dragged him away. He was about to get back into cover when two men
spotted him and opened fire. Batman ran and dodged the incoming rounds. He
threw a special Batarang. It landed in the wall beside theme. The Batarang split in
two. Knockout gas came out of the half that was still stuck. The two fell down. A big
tattooed man punched Batman and kicked him back. Batman tried to jump over his

head but the man grabbed his legs and slammed him through a crate and threw
him down. He choked the Dark Knight with both hands.
Im gonna tear your head off, he snarled. Batman kneed him in the groin.
He staggered back. Batman punched him but a man wrapped a chain around his
neck and chocked him.
The man wiped the blood from his face and punched Batmans stomach
twice. He was about to strike him again when Batman kicked him away and threw
the other guy upside down into the wall. Batman punched him again and finished
with a giant uppercut that sent him flying. A man crept up to Batman and was about
to hit him when Batman knocked him out with a punch without even looking.
Batman walked through another aisle of boxes to be surrounded by the other
seven members of Banes gang.
Get him, one of them said. A man swung a baseball bat at him. Batman
ducked and punched him down. A man opened fire on him. Batman threw two BatLassos. One tied around his ankles and the other one tied his arms to his waist.
Batman lunged and threw one man into two other incoming men. Batman jumped
up on one mans shoulder and landed on him. He finished him with a punch. He got
up and punched another man twice. He twirled around and finished him with a heel
kick.
Bane crashed through some crates and punched Batman through the wall.
Batman quickly recovered and rolled out of the way Bane punched a hole through
the wall.
Thanks to the red Venom, I dont need to wear tubes down my back. Without
my tubes, you cant beat me, Bane smiled, getting his hand out.
I think I can think of more ways than one to skin a behemoth, Batman said.
Bane threw a punch. Batman ducked and punched him twice in the gut. It was like
punching bricks. Batman back flipped back kicking Bane in the face doing so. Bane
got angrier and ran at Batman. Batman sidestepped and tripped him. He fell into
the wall. Batman drew two Batarangs and threw them. They each landed on the wall
between Bane and split in two. Knockout gas came out of the parts still in the wall
and enveloped Bane. The man simply walked out.
Tom, youre going to have to work on these knockout Batarangs, Batman
said as Bane charged towards him. Batman expanded his wings and started to fly
away when Bane grabbed his feet and twirled him around. When he let go, Batman
flew through a couple of crates and went into another aisle. He hit his back on a
heavy iron cart and fell down. He rubbed his neck.
I could have sworn that shot couldve broken my back in two, Batman
remarked sorely.
Well, you wanted to be Batman, Bruce, Tom said.
Bane walked through the hole carrying a huge metal box. He threw it. Batman
jumped out of the way and expanded his wings. He jumped high in the air and fired
his jets. He flew directly into Bane. He managed to push Bane back a couple of feet,
but Bane grabbed on to him and slammed him into a wall. He picked Batman up
high and started to break his back.
This time I will break you in two, Bane snarled.
Keep telling yourself that, sunny boy, Batman said, dropping a flash
grenade. It blinded him for the minute dropping Batman in the confusion. Batman
threw a Bat-Lasso. It wrapped itself around Bane.
Got any bright ideas? Tom yawned.
You know, I actually do, Batman said.

Bane recovered and broke free. He roared and threw a punch towards
Batman. Batman simply ducked and punched him in the face. Bane tried to grab the
Dark Knight but Batman played leapfrog over his head. He kicked Bane in the back
while he was at it.
Whats wrong big guy, you too slow to keep up? Batman taunted.
You dare to insult your superior. I will step on you and crush you, Bane
snarled even angrier. He launched several punches but Batman dodged each one
and countered with a punch. Bane raised both his hands and slammed them down
on Batman. Batman backed up just in time and threw a Batarang. Bane caught it
and broke it in half. Angrier than ever, he ran at Batman blindly.
I will crush you! he shouted.
Batman waited for the right timing and drew a Bat-Lasso.
Thats it, keep coming, Batman said. He threw it when Bane was two feet
away and jumped away. Bane tripped. Batman was hiding behind a titanium
generator. Bane hit his head on it. It left a huge hole at least five inches deep. Bane
fell down unconscious.
I learned that from the Flash himself. Better luck next time, Bane, Batman
said, tying him up with another Lasso.
You forget about Powell, Bruce